Make no mistake: Apache Beat is not a collective of fly-by-night first-timers who got lucky. The band, composed entirely of native or longtime New Yorkers, came together in mid-2006 with each member already more than deeply rooted and respected in the claustrophobically competitive Brooklyn arts and music scenes. In seemingly no time at all since their formation, Apache Beat had bashed out a few raw, roughhewn and utterly brilliant first-try demos, releasing two seven inches with emerging indie powerhouse label Summer Lovers Unlimited, whose stable also include The Tough Alliance, Crystal Castles, and The Teenagers. As the band began cutting their teeth live with a series of increasingly epic shows that firmly held all in thrall, the buzz became insatiable and Apache Beat were quickly featured in the pages of Vice, Dazed and Confused, New York Magazine, ‘Sup, The Fader, NME, Spin, Harper’s Bazaar, Exclaim!, BBC, and Pitchfork Media.
With this deluge of press coming only these few limited edition releases (and admittedly playing some awesome live shows throughout 2008), it was expected that many journalists would try to pin down or classify their sound. Apache Beat however are not merely the sum of its influences: while the band’s sound bears strong shades of the stomping dirges of Nick Cave or the Pixies and the exacting delicacy of legendary Krautrock forbears Cluster, Apache Beat forge their own inimitable brand of aggressive yet intricate avant-rock, made complete by the frantic rhythms of drummer Neil; the assured, pinpoint guitarwork of Phil and Mike; the serpentine synth lines of Christina; and the unmistakable brooding bellow of front woman Iliana (who is also a writer, publisher, and new media wunderkind whose effortless fashionability has landed the band coverage in the more style-focused pages of V, Jalouse, and Elle).
Now, after playing a hugely successful CMJ, Apache Beat can now count among their touring buddies Deerhunter, Les Savy Sav, We Are Scientists, Lightspeed Champion, and The Homosexuals. They’ve been endorsed enthusiastically by MGMT, Chairlift, Gossip, Misshapes, Dave Allen of Gang of Four, and in the midst of all the action, have managed to have a member, Iliana, sing on an album for The Rapture, and another, Mike, doing the ol’ silhouette bop on ‘Bruises’ for an iPod ad with Chairlift, and another, Phil, co-directing the Apache Beat’s first music video for “Tropics,” which was premiered on Pitchfork TV in tandem with the digital-only release of the single, now available on iTunes.
Back on the grind, Apache Beat is finishing up their debut full-length with legendary producer Martin Bisi (whose discography includes Sonic Youth, Afrikaa Bambataa, and The Boredoms) for a 2009 release date. The band plans to tour extensively in support of this debut album, ‘Last Chants’, which will feature heavily the guest performances of Lightspeed Champion, The Rapture and Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Live, the music of Apache Beat, possibly even more than on record, struts hard and clever with seriously murderous rhythm; sinuous, flitting interplay of keys and guitars; and a voice that fractures like chandeliers.
Official Website: http://www.myspace.com/apachebeat
